Foreigners entering Pakistan without valid visas to be prosecuted: Chaudhry Nisar

Taking note of visa irregularities and breach of security protocols by advance teams and staff accompanying hunting parties ─ especially from the Middle East ─ Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar on Tuesday ordered his ministry, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Civil Aviation Authority to put in place an effective system for streamlining and checking any breaches of law.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Nisar, in which it was decided that after the suspension of landing permits, all foreigners entering Pakistan without valid visas or without completing the immigration process would be proceeded against under Pakistani law, which could include arrest and prosecution, a statement issued by the interior ministry said.

He said that the FIA, Civil Aviation and ministry should ensure that no plane is allowed to land in the country without prior clearance of the Interior Ministry, the statement said.

Chaudhry Nisar directed the aviation division and FIA to ensure that landing permission be only granted after ascertaining the total number of people on board, their nationality and the nature of their visas, the statement added.

Nisar ordered the interior ministry to identify all airports and landing strips in the country where delegations arrive for hunting purposes, and to devise standard operations for immigration and customs clearance at airports lacking these facilities.

He also instructed the ministry to develop a robust mechanism of information sharing among the immigration department, Interior Ministry and the aviation division, the statement said.

The minister directed that the process be completed within a week’s time.

The meeting was attended by the acting secretary interior, advocate general, inspector general police, chief commissioner ICT, and senior officers of the Interior Ministry and FIA’s aviation division

Traffic management in twin cities

During the meeting, the minister reviewed progress on his earlier directives regarding traffic management in the twin cities, the statement said.

It was also decided during the meeting that e-ticketing would be started in the Islamabad within next two weeks to streamline the system of penalties for traffic rules violations and to save the citizens from hassles of long queue outside designated banks for depositing challan fee.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the traffic management system, the minister observed that scientific methods should be adopted for traffic regulation and management, the statement said.

He reiterated that Safe City cameras should be utilised for optimum resource management and smooth traffic flow, it was added.

Nisar ordered the Inspector General Police to review traffic arrangements and focus on better traffic discipline and management rather than harassing people over fancy registration plates.

Nisar directed that emphasis should be put on traffic discipline, action against tinted glasses, forged, unregistered or fake registration plates, the statement said.

Source: Dawn